Luke Tipene death: Accused denied monitored bail

Luke Tipene died after being stabbed outside a Grey Lynn party in November. Photo / supplied

The man accused of murdering a rugby league rising star has been declined electronically-monitored bail.

Vincent Angene Skeen, 17, pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared in the High Court at Auckland two weeks after the incident in November but he will now spend more than five months in prison awaiting trial.

It is understood Skeen is alleged to have stabbed 17-year-old Luke Tipene in the throat with a broken bottle.

The incident happened outside a party in Grey Lynn.

In court yesterday his lawyer Lorraine Smith applied for Skeen to be released on EM bail.

Justice Paul Heath released his decision today declining bail and suppressing all other details of his 11-page judgment.

EM bail requires a defendant to remain at an approved address at all times and be monitored by Corrections for up to 24 hours a day.

For an application to be granted, a judge must be satisfied that the public, witnesses, victims and the people who will share the address are safe from the defendant.

Tipene was a recent recipient of Auckland Rugby League's Under-17 player of the year award. He was also selected for the New Zealand Maori Under-17 side.

Family said he had been shopping at Henderson's night market and went to pick up a friend when he was attacked.

Dozens of tearful supporters of the Tipene family packed the court yesterday, one carrying a photo of the victim decked out in a representative jersey.

Skeen's mother was also in court and cried throughout the hearing.

His trial is scheduled to take place in August.